s a dwarf, _with a nose like
that of the strange old woman_.

What should he do?

He remembered that the old woman had said that the eating of the
magic soup that contained the magic herb would make him a magic
cook.

He went to the palace of the duke and inquired for the major domo.
He was kindly received, as dwarfs are in such places, and he asked
to be employed in the kitchen, and allowed to show his skill in
preparing some of the rare dishes for the table.

No one in the ducal palace was able to produce such food as he. He
was made chief cook in a little time, and enjoyed the duke's favor
for two years. He grew fat, was honored at the great feasts, and
became the wonder of the town.

Now happened the strangest thing of his strange life.

(Ye that have eyes, prepare to open them now.)

[Illustration: JAMIE RUSHING TOWARDS HIS MOTHER.]

One morning he went to the goose market to buy some nice fat geese,
such as he knew the duke would relish. He purchased a cage of three
geese, but he noticed that one of the geese did not quack and gabble
like the others.

"The poor thing must be sick," he said; "I will make haste to kill
her."

To his great astonishment, the goose made answer:--

"Stop my breath,
And I will cause your early death."

Then he knew that the goose was some enchanted being, and he
resolved to spare her life.

"You have not always had feathers on you, as now?" said the dwarf.

"No; I am Mimi, daughter of Waterbrook the Great."

"Prithee be calm; I will be your friend; I know how to pity you. I
was once a squirrel myself."

Now the duke made a great feast, and invited the prince. The prince
was highly pleased with the ducal dishes, and praised the cook.

"But there is one dish that you have not provided," said the prince.

"What is that?" asked the duke.

"_Pate Suzerain._"

The duke ordered the dwarf to make the rare dish for the next
banquet.

The dwarf obeyed.

When the prince had tasted, he pushed it aside, and said,--

"There is one thing lacking,--one peculiar herb. It is not like that
which is provided for my own table."

The duke, in a towering passion, sent for the dwarf.

"If you do not prepare this dish rightly for the next banquet," he
said, "you shall lose your head."

Now the dwarf was in great distress, and he went to consult with the
goose.

"I know what